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NFL Draft 2015: 5 under-the-radar prospects to watch

By Brad Rowland

Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (14) passes against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Bears 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (14) passes against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Bears 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oregon Ducks defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) runs down the field against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon Ducks defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) runs down the field against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB Oregon

Ekpre-Olomu’s tale is all too familiar, as he is an excellent college player who happened to suffer an injury at the worst possible time. After earning All-American honors for the 2014 season, the former Oregon Duck went down with a serious knee injury during practice, and that has submarined his stock a bit.

The 5-foot-9 cornerback was seen as a consensus first rounder as arguably the best senior cornerback in the Class of 2014, but with teams worried about the knee, he will almost certainly slip. That is a mistake.

The biggest concern with Ekpre-Olomu is probably a lack of straight line speed, and the knee issues won’t help, but his skill level is tremendous. He is incredibly fluid in breaks with high-end cover skills to boot, and against Pac-12 offenses, he was often tested on dozens of players per game.

Cornerbacks who know what they are doing are in high demand for the draft, and if teams can see beyond the 2015 season in a vacuum, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will be a steal.

Next: Devin Funchess

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